The Vargas Cartel Trilogy (Vargas Cartel #1-3)(112)

Just when I decided to give up and go to sleep, the door opened. Ryker stood, leaning his shoulder against the doorframe. His sunglasses hung from the collar of his shirt. His shirt was wrinkled, his sleeves rolled to the middle of his forearms. I stopped pacing.

“You’re up.”

I rested my hands on my hips. “I am.”

“Did you eat?” He looked from me to the open balcony door. The ocean breeze had snuffed out the candles hours ago.

“No. Did you eat?” I shot back.

He dragged a hand over the side of his face. “Rever and I ate dinner near the hospital.”

“Hm.”

He took a few steps in my direction and I retreated. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You said you’d be back for dinner.”

He ran his hands through his hair. “I know. Something came up. Didn’t you get my voicemail?”

“No.” I rubbed a hand over my face. “I had to turn off my phone an hour ago.”

Ryker set his sunglasses on the dresser and began unbuttoning his shirt. “Why’s that?”

“Because my parents won’t stop calling. They’re freaking out.”

“Ah,” he murmured, emptying his pockets. “I don’t doubt it. Did you tell them where you were?”

“No,” I snapped.

“Good.”

I scrunched up my nose. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“We’re leaving the day after tomorrow. I already booked our flight. Send them a text. Tell them you took a road trip to clear your head, and you’ll be home in a couple of days. There’s no need to make them worry.” He unbuckled his pants and pushed them down his legs. His belt buckle clanged against the tile floor.

My breathing accelerated, and I blinked, trying to erase the lust building inside of me with every piece of clothing he shed.

“I guess not,” I whispered, staring at the wall above his head.

He settled onto the edge of the bed, wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs. “Come here, Hattie,” he said, his voice thick like honey.

“No.” I shook my head.

He grinned. “I want to touch you. I missed you.”

My eyes connected with his. “You did?”

“Always.” He held out his hand. “I can’t wait to go home. I hate it here. I’ve always hated it here.”

“So do I.” We gravitated to each other like two lodestones unable to resist the pull any longer.

He hauled me onto his lap and slid his arms around my waist. “We’re never coming back.”

“We’re not?” I ran my hands up and down his arms. When he held me, I felt strong. Safe. Cherished.

“No.” He brushed a gentle kiss across my lips, lingering there without moving, savoring the connection. The smoky flavor of bourbon coated his lips.

“Why not?” I whispered against his lips.

He unknotted my robe and pushed it down my shoulders. “We shouldn’t have come here.” His fingertips trailed over the swells of my breasts. Shivers danced down my spine, and I arched into his touch. Needing it. Craving it. Treasuring the urgency of his touch. “After tomorrow, I’m done with Ignacio and Rever. They’ll be out of our lives forever.”

“Why tomorrow? Why not today?”

“I have one more thing to do tomorrow and that’s it.” He flipped me onto my back and pressed his body into mine. His spicy scent clouded my thoughts and ignited a fever in my blood.

“You’re going back to the hospital?”

He shook his head. “No. Rever and I need to take care of some loose ends at the Vargas compound. I’ll be back late tomorrow night, and we’ll be on the first flight out of here.”

I traced the line of his jaw with my fingers. “Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?”

“No. Stay. You’ll be safer here.” His hands roamed my skin, exploring, caressing, memorizing every curve, and investigating every freckle.

“I was so bored today. I didn’t leave the room. I stared at my computer screen all day.”

“You didn’t go to the pool or the beach?” His lips moved down my neck, splintering my thoughts.

I rolled my head to the side. “Tomorrow I’m going to go running,” I mumbled, more as a promise to myself than him.

He paused and his eyes locked on mine. “Don’t run too far. Stay close to the hotel.”

Fear jolted through my body. “Why?”

He smiled as he cradled my stomach. “Do you have to question everything?”

“I don’t like to be left in the dark.” He kissed my belly, and I ran my fingers through his inky hair. “What are you doing?”

“Giving our baby a kiss. I think he missed me.”

I placed my hand over his. “You’re okay with this? I mean…” Words escaped me. There were so many reasons why I shouldn’t have this baby and only one I should—I loved him, and by extension, the baby.

He smiled. “The timing isn’t perfect. We don’t have everything figured out. Senator Deveron isn’t going to leave us alone, not yet anyway. But yes, I want you, and I want our baby.”

Silent tears slid down my face. I was so f*cking emotional. I wanted to slap myself sometimes. “Okay.”